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Glite Dictionary
artlang

artlang

9.9
A language people create for art and stories
  • noun
  • /ˈɑrtˌlæŋ/
  • Jargon
translation icon : artlang
  • Klingon is a well-known artlang developed for the Star Trek universe.

Examples

  • The author created an elaborate artlang for her fantasy novel to make the world more immersive.

  • Many people create an artlang for their fictional worlds.

  • Many linguists enjoy building an artlang as a form of creative expression.

  • Esperanto is not an artlang.

  • Klingon is a well-known artlang developed for the Star Trek universe.

  • The author created an elaborate artlang for her fantasy novel to make the world more immersive.

  • Many linguists enjoy building an artlang as a form of creative expression.

Synonyms

artificial language
vsartlang
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A language made by people for a special use, like computers or international communication

is intended for artistic or aesthetic reasons rather than practical use
artistic language
vsartlang
  • Literature
9.1

A made-up system of words and rules used for art or stories

is created for art and beauty rather than for practical communication

Antonyms

natural language
  • Specialized
2 3.5

A system people use to speak and write to each other rather than computer code

Surface Forms

artlang singular
artlangs plural

Morphology

artlang = art + language (semi-transparent) = art + lang

Meaning is predictable as 'art' + 'language', but the clipped form 'lang' and specialist jargon reduce immediate clarity for average learners.

Etymology

The word artlang comes from joining art ('creative work') and lang (short for language, 'a system of words'). So an artlang is a language made mainly for art or beauty, not for everyday talk.